Former schools chief subject of book

The story of former Middletown superintendent-turned-Level 2 sex offender Robert Sigler is now the subject of a book.

Pauline Liu

The story of former Middletown superintendent-turned-Level 2 sex offender Robert Sigler is now the subject of a book.

He was superintendent from 1996 until January 2003, when he pleaded guilty to second-degree sodomy involving a male student at his home.

"Behind the Schoolhouse Doors" is a self-published book by former Middletown High School Principal Bernie Cohen. It went on sale on Amazon.com last week. According to Cohen, 60 copies of the book sold over the weekend.

"I wrote the book because there are too many Jekyll-and-Hyde pedophiles in trustworthy and honorable settings, like this superintendent and Coach Jerry Sandusky at Penn State," said Cohen, 70, of Nyack.

Cohen, whom some regard as the whistle-blower in this case, was initially suspended and then fired in 2005 for allegedly failing to properly report his concerns about Sigler, who carried on an 18-month relationship with the boy.

He sued the district for wrongful firing and the case was settled out of court. Cohen says he was made a scapegoat by district officials who failed to act after he notified them of his suspicions.

"I would be lying if I said there wasn't absolutely a catharsis in getting the truth out there," he said.

Cohen explained that he began working on the book about five years ago, after he and his lawyer paid a visit to Sigler in state prison to get a deposition from him for Cohen's own lawsuit against the district.

Did Sigler appear remorseful?

"No, not at all," said Cohen. "I say that in the book."

Sigler, 65, moved to Orlando, Fla., shortly after he served out his full five-year term at the Oneida Correctional Facility. He had just one comment when contacted by phone about Cohen's book.

"I'm surprised that anyone would find such a project worthwhile," Sigler said.

Meanwhile, the boy he sexually abused is now about 25. He couldn't be reached for comment, but his father said they had nothing to say right now.

Cohen works as a character actor under the name Bern Cohen and has acting credits in about 30 films, including the 2010 indie film "Holy Rollers" and "27 Dresses" with Katherine Heigl.

He said the book is written in a narrative, non-fiction style made famous by Truman Capote. To protect the victim and teachers, he changed all of the names, including the school district's.

"Local readers may remember real names," he said. "The rest of the country will learn a lesson from this book, and the characters' and location names don't matter."

pliu@th-record.com

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